Lighter with timer-controlled igniter

ABSTRACT

A lighter comprises two spaced apart electrodes, a fuel emitting structure adjacent at least one of the electrodes, a voltage generating device electrically connected to each one of electrodes and timer circuitry electrically connected between the voltage generating device and at least one of the electrodes. The timer circuitry precludes operation of the voltage generating device causing ignition of fuel emitted by the fuel emitting structure during a wait time interval and enables operation of the voltage generating device to cause ignition of fuel emitted by the fuel emitting structure after the wait time interval passes.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to lighters and, more particularly, to cigarette lighters with means for inhibiting operation of igniter.

BACKGROUND

Use of tobacco products is a popular, albeit unhealthy, habit practiced by millions of people. Some people prefer chewing tobacco while others prefer to smoke it. Regardless of which variety of tobacco product that a person chooses to use, their health and/or financial well-being is adversely affected by such a habit.

Quitting the habit of smoking tobacco products has proven to be very difficult for most people. Even for those that have a sincere desire to quit smoking tobacco products, they realize that their addiction to the natural and processed chemicals in tobacco smoke makes cessation of their habit a difficult task. For some, quitting ‘cold-turkey’ is possible. However, for the vast majority of those who want to quit smoking, they require a smoking cessation aid. Examples of conventional smoking cessation aids include, but are not limited to nicotine-permeation patches and nicotine chewing gum. With such a smoking cessation aid, they find they are able to gradually reduce the amount they smoke through constant or varying levels of nicotine supplied by the smoking cessation aid. While smoking cessation aids are useful in their intended function, they are do not address the physical and oral aspects of the habit (e.g., lighting a cigarette, having the cigarette in one's hand and in one's mouth).

Therefore, a smoking cessation aid that permits a smoker to conveniently and readily smoke tobacco products, but in a time-controlled manner, would be useful.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present invention assist a smoked in quitting the unhealthy and expensive habit of smoking. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention limit the time during which a lighter is operable, thus limiting the time during which the lighter can be used for lighting a tobacco product. In doing so, embodiments of the present invention advantageously serve as a smoking cessation aid for those people that have a desire to end their smoking habit.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a lighter comprises two spaced apart electrodes, a fuel emitting structure adjacent at least one of the electrodes, a voltage generating device electrically connected to each one of electrodes and timer circuitry electrically connected between the voltage generating device and at least one of the electrodes. The timer circuitry precludes operation of the voltage generating device from causing ignition of fuel emitted by the fuel emitting structure during a wait time interval and enables operation of the voltage generating device to cause ignition of fuel emitted by the fuel emitting structure after the wait time interval passes.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a piezoelectric cigarette lighter comprises a fuel storage tank, a first electrode, a second electrode, a fuel flow regulating valve, a piezoelectric igniter and timer circuitry. The first electrode includes a fuel delivery nozzle and the second electrode is in spaced apart relationship with respect to the first electrode. The fuel flow-regulating valve is connected between the fuel storage tank and the fuel delivery nozzle. The fuel flow-regulating valve is manually operable for selectively enabling and disabling flow of fuel from the fuel storage tank to the fuel delivery nozzle. The piezoelectric igniter electrically connected to each one of the electrodes. The timer circuitry is electrically connected between the piezoelectric igniter and at least one of the electrodes. The timer circuitry precludes a voltage differential generated by the piezoelectric igniter from causing electrical current to arc across the electrodes during a wait time interval and enables a voltage differential generated by the piezoelectric igniter to cause electrical current to arc across the electrodes after the wait time interval passes.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a method for aiding in the cessation of a smoking habit comprises a plurality of operations. An operation is performed for providing a lighter suitable for lighting a smoked tobacco product. An operation is performed for precluding operation of a voltage generating device of the lighter from causing ignition of fuel dispensed from within a fuel storage tank of the lighter for a first prescribed time interval. An operation is performed for enabling operation of the voltage generating device of the lighter to cause ignition of fuel dispensed from within the fuel storage tank of the lighter for at least one of a second prescribed time interval after the first time interval passes and a prescribed number of operating instances after the first time interval passes.

Turning now to specific aspects of the present invention, in at least one embodiment, the timer circuitry precludes a voltage differential generated by the voltage generating device from causing electrical current to arc across the electrodes during the wait time interval thereby precluding ignition of fuel emitted by the fuel emitting structure and enables a voltage differential generated by the voltage generating device to be provided across the electrodes after the wait time interval passes thereby enabling ignition of fuel emitted by the fuel emitting structure.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the wait time interval is user-adjustable and/or self-adjustable by the timer circuitry according to pre-programmed logic.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the pre-programmed logic increases a duration of the wait time interval dependent upon a prescribed number of wait time intervals passing and/or a prescribed number of operating cycles of the voltage generating device being performed.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, timer circuitry includes a visual display and the timer circuitry displays a time of day and/or a remaining portion of the wait time interval.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the voltage generating device includes a piezoelectric igniter and timer circuitry is connected between the piezoelectric igniter and at least one electrode.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, an operation is performed for increasing a duration of the first time interval dependent upon a prescribed number of wait first time intervals passing and/or a prescribed number of operating cycles of the voltage generating device being performed.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, an operation is performed for displaying a time of day on a visual display of the lighter and an operation is performed for displaying a remaining portion of the first time interval on the visual display in response to depressing a visual display output selector.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, precluding operation of a voltage generating device of the lighter from causing ignition of fuel dispensed from within a fuel storage tank of the lighter for a first prescribed time interval includes precluding electrical current from arcing across the electrodes and enabling operation of the voltage generating device of the lighter to cause ignition of fuel dispensed from within the fuel storage tank of the lighter includes enabling electrical current to arc across the electrodes.

These and other objects, embodiments, advantages and/or distinctions of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification, associated drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a lighter in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the lighter shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the lighter shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIGS. 1-3 show various aspects of a lighter in accordance with the present invention, which is referred to herein as the lighter 10. The lighter 10 is generally referred to as a cigarette lighter. However, the present invention is not unnecessarily limited to a particular type of lighter. Lighters in accordance with the present invention may be of a variety of shapes, sizes, constructions and/or intended uses.

Referring to FIG. 1, the lighter 10 includes a body 12 and an operating assembly 14 attached to the body 12. As will be discussed below in greater detail, the operating assembly 14 includes components that enable fuel (e.g., butane) to be dispensed and ignited to produce a flame. The operating assembly of a lighter in accordance with the present invention is not unnecessarily limited to a particular physical or operational configuration. Accordingly, it is disclosed herein that many known operating assemblies may be suitably integrated in to a lighter in accordance with the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lighter 10 includes timer circuitry 16 that controls when operation of the operating assembly 14 will result in dispensed fuel will be ignited. Through such control, the timer circuitry 16 may impose an interval between which the lighter may be used for lighting a tobacco product. In this manner, a lighter in accordance with the present invention is configured for aiding in the cessation of a smoking habit.

The timer circuitry 16 includes a visual display 18 and a plurality of a plurality of buttons 20. The visual display 18 enables display of information such as a time of day, a remaining portion of a wait time interval (i.e., a first time interval) during which the timer circuitry 16 precludes operation of the operating assembly 14 from igniting dispensed fuel, a remaining portion of an ignition activation time interval (i.e., a second time interval) during which the timer circuitry 16 allows operation of the operating assembly 14 to ignite dispensed fuel, etc. The plurality of buttons 20 enable which information will be currently displayed and/or selection of a feature of timed-controlled use functionality in accordance with the present invention. An example of a feature of the time-controlled use functionality is user configuration of the wait time interval.

As shown in FIG. 2, a fuel refill port 22 is accessible within a bottom face 24 of the body 12 and a battery compartment is accessible within a bottom face 24 of the body 12 by removal of a battery compartment cover 26. The fuel refill port 22 enables a fuel storage tank of the lighter 10 to be refilled, thus making the lighter. 10 a refillable lighter. Optionally, the fuel refill port 22 is omitted, making the lighter 10 a disposable lighter in that the fuel storage tank cannot be refilled once an initial volume of fuel is depleted. A battery that powers the timer circuitry 16 is engaged within the battery compartment of the lighter 10. Preferably, but not necessarily, the battery is replaceable, thereby requiring the battery compartment cover 26 to be removable (e.g., via a rotation of the battery compartment cover 26). Optionally, however, the battery may be non replaceable, in which case, the battery compartment cover 24 may be non-removable or omitted. In the case of the lighter 10 being disposable (i.e., fuel storage tank being non-refillable), the value associated with replacing the battery may be negligible as the fuel supply may be depleted long before the battery loses its charge.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a schematic of the lighter 10 is shown. As discussed above in reference to FIG. 1, the operating assembly 14 includes components that enable fuel (e.g., butane) to be dispensed and ignited to produce a flame. The operating assembly 14 depicted in FIG. 3 is one example of an operating assembly suitable for use in the present invention. The present invention is not unnecessarily limited to a particular configuration of operating assembly. Preferred operating assemblies within the context of the present invention includes a voltage generating device (e.g., a piezoelectric igniter or the like), which allows time-controlled used functionality to be electrically implemented as opposed to mechanically implemented. However, the present invention is not limited to electrical or mechanical means for facilitating time-controlled use functionality.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the operating assembly 14 includes a piezoelectric igniter 30, a first electrode 32, a second electrode 34, a fuel storage tank 36 and a fuel flow regulating valve 38. The first electrode 32 includes a fuel delivery nozzle 40 through which fuel from the fuel storage tank 36 is dispensed. The second electrode 34 in spaced apart relationship with respect to the first electrode 32. The fuel flow regulating valve 38 is connected between the fuel storage tank 36 and the fuel delivery nozzle 38. The fuel flow regulating valve 38 is manually operable for selectively enabling and disabling flow of fuel from the fuel storage tank 36 to the fuel delivery nozzle 40. The piezoelectric igniter 30 is electrically connected to each one of the electrodes through electrical conductors.

Functionally, the operating assembly 14 of the lighter 10 operates in a similar or identical manner as in a conventional piezoelectric-energized cigarette lighter. Such conventional functionality begins with movement of an actuating member 42 (e.g., a manually depressible button or lever) of the piezoelectric igniter 30 from an at-rest position to a sufficiently displaced position causing distortion of a piezoelectric crystal element 44, which results in the generation of a voltage differential. A piezoelectric igniter 30 is one example of a device that generates an electrical voltage in response to a mechanical stimulus. The present invention is not necessarily limited to a particular type of mechanically driven voltage generation device. The voltage differential generated by the piezoelectric igniter 30 is applied across the electrodes (23, 34). Due to suitable spacing between the electrodes (32, 34) with respect to the generated voltage differential, electrical current arcs between the electrodes (e.g., from the first electrode 32 to the second electrode 34). The actuating member 42 is mechanically coupled to the fuel flow regulating valve 38 in a manner where movement of the actuating member from the at rest position to the suitably displaced position moves the fuel flow regulating valve 38 from flow inhibiting configuration to a fuel flowing configuration. As a result of fuel flowing from the nozzle 40 and the presence of a spark adjacent the nozzle 40 the second electrode 34 (i.e., electrical current arcing between the electrodes (32, 34)), the fuel is ignited resulting in a flame being maintained at the nozzle 40 so long as the actuation member is sufficiently depressed and a supply of fuel remains in the fuel storage tank 36.

The timer circuitry 16 is electrically connected between the piezoelectric igniter 30 and the second electrode 34. Through such interconnection, the timer circuitry 16 enables time-controlled use functionality in accordance with the present invention to be facilitated. Time-controlled use functionality includes precluding a voltage differential generated by the piezoelectric igniter 30 from causing electrical current to arc across the electrodes (32, 34) during a wait time interval thereby precluding fuel dispensed from within the fuel storage tank 36 via the nozzle 40 from being ignited to establish a flame. Time-controlled use functionality also includes allowing a voltage differential generated by the piezoelectric igniter 30 to cause electrical current to arc across the electrodes (32, 34) after the wait time interval passes thereby allowing fuel dispensed from within the fuel storage tank 36 via the nozzle 40 to be ignited to establish a flame. By controlling the duration of the wait time interval and ignition activation time interval (i.e., the interval of time between adjacent wait time intervals), the lighter 10 offers a means for aiding smoking cessation.

A specific embodiment of the timer circuitry 16 is depicted in FIG. 3. It is disclosed herein that other timer circuitry capable of carrying out time-controlled use functionality may be implemented. Any number of different timer circuitries may be implemented for providing time-controlled use functionality in accordance with the present invention.

The timer circuitry 16 includes a battery 46, a timer device 48 (e.g., a logic timer semiconductor device), a switching device 50 (e.g., a physical or semiconductor relay) and a resistive element 52 (e.g., a resistor). The resistive element 52 is connected between the first electrode 34 and a first pole 54 of the switching device 50. A second pole 56 of the switching device 50 is connected to the second electrode 34. A first output lead 60 of the piezoelectric igniter 30 is connected to the first electrode 32 and a common pole 58 of the switching device 50 is connected to a second output lead 62 of the piezoelectric igniter 30. A control portion 64 (e.g., coil) of the switching device 50 is connected between a trigger lead 65 of the timer device 48 and a negative lead 66 of the battery 46. A positive lead 68 of the battery 46 is connected to a positive power supply lead 69 of the timer device 48 and the negative lead 66 of the battery 46 is connected to a negative power supply lead 70 of the timer device 48.

The battery 46 supplies power to the timer device 48 and the switching device 50. The timer device 48 outputs a trigger voltage after a wait time interval has passed. During the wait time period interval, no voltage is applied to the control portion 64 of the switching device 50 such that the common pole 58 of the switching device 50 is in a normally closed position. When the switching device 50 is in the normally closed position (i.e., no voltage applied to the control portion 64 of the switching device 50), the common pole 58 of the switching device 50 is in contact with the first pole 54 of the switching device 50, thereby providing a current flow path within the operating assembly 14 that bypasses the electrodes (32, 34). After a wait time interval passes, timer device 48 outputs a trigger voltage that causes the switching device 50 to move to a switched position. When the switching device 50 is in a switched position (i.e., voltage applied to the control portion 64 of the switching device 50), the common pole 58 of the switching device is in contact with the second pole 56 of the switching device 50, thereby providing a current flow path within the operating assembly that passes through the electrodes (32, 34). Accordingly, when the current flow path within the operating assembly passes through the electrodes (32, 34), the voltage generated by operation of the piezoelectric igniter 30 causes electrical current to arc across the electrodes (32, 34), thus igniting any fuel being dispensed from the nozzle 40. The lighter 10 remains operational (i.e., will produce a flame) for a prescribed ignition activation time interval and/or a prescribed number of operating instances and then another wait time interval will begin.

In use, the wait time interval limits the time during which the lighter 10 is operable for lighting a smokable tobacco product (i.e., time-controlled use functionality). Thus, this time-controlled use functionality is useful as a smoking cessation aid in that it helps a person to reduce the number of smokable tobacco products they use. To enhance the usefulness of time-controlled use functionality in accordance with the present invention, the timer device 48 may be configured such that the wait time interval is user-adjustable and/or self-adjustable according to pre-programmed logic. In one embodiment, the pre-programmed logic increases a duration of the wait time interval dependent upon a prescribed number of wait time intervals passing and/or a prescribed number of operating cycles of the voltage generating device being performed. For example, after each 20 wait time intervals, the wait time interval increases by a prescribed amount such that, over time, the person using the lighter uses less smokable tobacco product and becomes less dependent upon the smokable tobacco product.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form apart hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, chemical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of such inventive disclosures. To avoid unnecessary detail, the description omits certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

1. A lighter, comprising: two spaced apart electrodes; a fuel emitting structure adjacent at least one of said electrodes; a voltage generating device electrically connected to each one of electrodes; and timer circuitry electrically connected between the voltage generating device and at least one of said electrodes, wherein the timer circuitry precludes operation of the voltage generating device causing ignition of fuel emitted by the fuel emitting structure during a wait time interval and enables operation of the voltage generating device to cause ignition of fuel emitted by the fuel emitting structure after the wait time interval passes.
 2. The lighter of claim 1 wherein the timer circuitry precludes a voltage differential generated by the voltage generating device from causing electrical current to arc across said electrodes during the wait time interval thereby precluding ignition of fuel emitted by the fuel emitting structure and enables a voltage differential generated by the voltage generating device to be provided across said electrodes after the wait time interval passes thereby enabling ignition of fuel emitted by the fuel emitting structure.
 3. The lighter of claim 1 wherein: the wait time interval is at least one of user-adjustable and self-adjustable according to pre-programmed logic; and said pre-programmed logic increases a duration of the wait time interval dependent upon at least one of a prescribed number of wait time intervals passing and a prescribed number of operating cycles of the voltage generating device being performed.
 4. The lighter of claim 1 wherein: the timer circuitry includes a visual display; and the timer circuitry displays at least one of a time of day and a remaining portion of the wait time interval.
 5. The lighter of claim 4 wherein: the wait time interval is at least one of user-adjustable and self-adjustable according to pre-programmed logic; and said pre-programmed logic increases a duration of the wait time interval dependent upon at least one of a prescribed number of wait time intervals passing and a prescribed number of operating cycles of the voltage generating device being performed.
 6. The lighter of claim 5 wherein the timer circuitry precludes a voltage differential generated by the voltage generating device from causing electrical current to arc across said electrodes during the wait time interval thereby precluding ignition of fuel emitted by the fuel emitting structure and enables a voltage differential generated by the voltage generating device to be provided across said electrodes after the wait time interval passes thereby enabling ignition of fuel emitted by the fuel emitting structure.
 7. The lighter of claim 6 wherein: the timer circuitry includes a visual display output selector button; and depression of the visual display output selector button enables selection of the time of day to be displayed on the visual display and the remaining portion of the wait time interval to be displayed on the visual display.
 8. The lighter of claim 7 wherein: the voltage generating device includes a piezoelectric igniter; and the timer circuitry is connected between the piezoelectric igniter and at least one of said electrodes.
 9. A piezoelectric cigarette lighter, comprising: a fuel storage tank; a first electrode including a fuel delivery nozzle; a second electrode in spaced apart relationship with respect to the first electrode; a fuel flow regulating valve connected between the fuel storage tank and the fuel delivery nozzle, wherein the fuel flow regulating valve is manually operable for selectively enabling and disabling flow of fuel from the fuel storage tank to the fuel delivery nozzle; a piezoelectric igniter electrically connected to each one of said electrodes; and timer circuitry electrically connected between the piezoelectric igniter and at least one of said electrodes, wherein the timer circuitry precludes a voltage differential generated by the piezoelectric igniter from causing electrical current to arc across said electrodes during a wait time interval and enables a voltage differential generated by the piezoelectric igniter to cause electrical current to arc across said electrodes after the wait time interval passes.
 10. The lighter of claim 9 wherein: the wait time interval is at least one of user-adjustable and self-adjustable according to pre-programmed logic; and said pre-programmed logic increases a duration of the wait time interval dependent upon at least one of a prescribed number of wait time intervals passing and a prescribed number of operating cycles of the voltage generating device being performed.
 11. The lighter of claim 9 wherein: the timer circuitry includes a visual display; and the timer circuitry displays at least one of a time of day and a remaining portion of the wait time interval.
 12. The lighter of claim 11 wherein: the wait time interval is at least one of user-adjustable and self-adjustable according to pre-programmed logic; and said pre-programmed logic increases a duration of the wait time interval dependent upon at least one of a prescribed number of wait time intervals passing and a prescribed number of operating cycles of the voltage generating device being performed.
 13. The lighter of claim 12 wherein: the timer circuitry includes a visual display output selector button; and depression of the visual display output selector button enables selection of the time of day to be displayed on the visual display and the remaining portion of the wait time interval to be displayed on the visual display.
 14. The lighter of claim 9 wherein: the timer circuitry includes a visual display output selector button; and depression of the visual display output selector button enables selection of the time of day to be displayed on the visual display and the remaining portion of the wait time interval to be displayed on the visual display.
 15. A method for aiding in the cessation of a smoking habit, comprising: providing a lighter suitable for lighting a smoked tobacco product; precluding operation of a voltage generating device of the lighter from causing ignition of fuel dispensed from within a fuel storage tank of the lighter for a first prescribed time interval; and enabling operation of the voltage generating device of the lighter to cause ignition of fuel dispensed from within the fuel storage tank of the lighter for at least one of a second prescribed time interval after the first time interval passes and a prescribed number of operating instances after the first time interval passes.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: increasing a duration of the first time interval dependent upon at least one of a prescribed number of wait first time intervals passing and a prescribed number of operating cycles of the voltage generating device being performed.
 17. The method of claim 15, further comprising: displaying a time of day on a visual display of the lighter; and displaying a remaining portion of the first time interval on the visual display in response to depressing a visual display output selector.
 18. The method of claim 15 wherein: said precluding includes precluding electrical current from arcing across said electrodes; and said enabling includes enabling electrical current to arc across said electrodes.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: increasing a duration of the first time interval dependent upon at least one of a prescribed number of wait first time intervals passing and a prescribed number of operating cycles of the voltage generating device being performed.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: displaying a time of day on a visual display of the lighter; and displaying a remaining portion of the first time interval on the visual display in response to depressing a visual display output selector. 